CO.STARTERS Graduates

“CO.STARTERS was an incredibly beneficial experience. It forces you to answer the tough questions sooner versus later, when the stakes can be much higher. It also takes a unique perspective on business development, addressing the personal and professional aspects of business ownership.”

Kristen Farmer Hall, Feast & Forest

“For me, it’s just getting out there and really getting to test your assumptions. Do I have a viable product to put out to the market? You really get to test that and you get to meet people and talk to people. It forces you out there and you find out what people like and what they don’t like. What you need to change, what you need to add. I think every small business owner needs to go through CO.STARTERS. Now I really know the direction I want to take with Eugene’s Hot Chicken.”

Zebbie Carney, Eugene’s Hot Chicken

Cohort 16: Winter B 2018

• Drew Callner – Callner Creates
• Elizabeth Cameron – Ecam and Co.
• Henry Ford – 5 Points West Community Tent Market
• Tanisha Foster – CHOP Friendly
• Pamela Kennedy – Queen City Chili
• Tiffany Martin – Ignite Cycle
• Joshua Moody – Community Moto
• Ashley Nolen – Ashley Nolen Coaching
• Brenton Reid – Press Darling prints
• Deyarlo Wilson – Musician / Producer

Cohort 15: Winter A 2018

• Corey Bishop – Refresh Clothing
• Emily Capilouto & Cody Penton – Restaurant
• Phylicia Carter – Eat the Batter
• Rae’Mah Henderson – Yobi Salad Express
• Miguel Milano & Apryl Row – Ceremony Tea House
• Kala Northrup – Match Chocolate
• Joel Roudebush – Roundabout Bagels
• Ama Shambulia – A Beautiful Life
• Emily Tidwell – Alabama Juice Bar
• Chloe York – Chloe York Fine Art

Cohort 14: Fall B 2017

• Shericka Barnes
• William & Yolanda Bowie – Jumpers
• Cynthia Brennan & Melissa Turnage – People in Motion
• Ronique Carter – Strategic Alignment Group
• Rodriques Cowans – 3^rd Street Market
• Kristye Dixon – Magic City Dentistry
• Johnny Harrington – Viscous Delicious
• Terri Ann Heiman – Natural Forces Studio
• Ashley Kerr – Nonprofit Consultant
• Hannah Slamen – Lucky Cat Rolled Creams
• Elizabeth Vander Kamp – The Listening Project

Cohort 13: Fall A 2017

• Lily Andrews – Yoga
• Mary Jane Armstrong – Mary Jane’s Hydroponic Farm
• Yolonda Carter – Yogi Dada
• Major Colbert – Major Colbert Photography
• Autumn Foster – Quire Consulting
• Courtney Harris – Royalty Hookah Bar
• Decontee Jimmeh – Medicolegal Consultant Firm
• T. Marie King – Bias Facilitator and Speaker
• Rochelle Liston – So Good
• Alvin Miller – The Shoe Clinic
• Randi Revill – Wee the People
• David Shaw – Magic City Sweet Ice
• Artesha Steele – Stem & Stone
• Krystal White – The Social Crafting Club

Cohort 12: Spring 2017

• Brittany Baker & Mallory Collier – Winslet & Rhys
• Kim Hightower – Gypset Beauty Co.
• Abbie Hyche – AVE Livre
• Jacqueline Jones – One Degree Marketing
• Mary Jones – Maasai Chic
• Amaarah Mccray – Eagle’s Soul Food Restaurant
• Kristi Oliver – Fly Solo Media
• Kenya Pickens – Velvet Kake, LLC
• Patty Roberson – Patty Cakes
• Temesha Washington – 2 Fish and 5 Loaves
• Raheam and Vanessa Woodbury – Woodbury’s Food for the Soul

Cohort 11: Winter 2017

• Ebony Butler – B.K. Desserts & Co.
• LLeweLLyn Cooper – Rites and Realities
• Al Elliott – Scribes: The Growlery
• Dre Foster – The Preservery Bham
• Kate Hardy – Square One Goods Co.
• Sabrina Parker – SowBaby Organic
• Eryka Perry – Not Just Catering
• Celeste Pfau – The Artery
• Stella Pfau – Druid City Garden Project
• Nancy Rhodes – Abundance Yoga

Cohort 10: Fall 2016

• Chris Agerston & Arthelia Libsomb – Saboth Bed & Breakfast
• Chris Funderburk – Infinite Soaps
• Russell Hooks – Happenin’s in the Ham
• Kim King – Posh Beauty Bar
• Kim Lee – Forge
• Paul Martin – Knackhäus
• Kali McNutt – Elysian Fields International
• Miriam Omura – Miriam N. Omura Art
• Jason Otis – Perk Brands
• Ryan Propst – Ironbark Kitchen
• Joshua Smith – Green Guy Gourmet

Cohort 9: Summer 2016

• Tysh Billingsley – Finale: A Wine & Dessert Bar
• Kimberly Brock – Bitty’s Back Porch
• Yolanda Flowers – Flowers’ Teapot
• Brent Kendrick – Stones Throw Market
• Lu Lake – Birmingham KettleBell Academy, LLC
• Hannelore Melville – Wild Ginger
• James Sullivan – Save-A-Collar
• Brad Tolland – Experience Birmingham (EXP/BHM)

Cohort 8: Spring 2016

• Bonaventure Akinlosotu & JB Bradley – Sidekicks Sneaker Shop
• Antwon Ervin – Discover Birmingham
• Shawn Fitzwater – Spoke Cycle Pub
• Anita Gray – The Anne B. Sullivan School for Innovative Learning
• Salaam Green – The Literary Healing Arts Foundation
• Nneka Gunn – Namaste Beauty
• Eric Holsomback – Wholesome Soda Co.
• Gabe Marrero – Tropicaleo
• Stephanie Muhammad – Baseemah’s Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
• Elle Nelson – Studio Steel
• Chris Prichard – Viewtopia Pictures
• Danada Smith – Revamp Custom Tagz
• Erica Storey – Snack Attack

Cohort 7: Winter 2016

• Saramia Arenas – Rainy Day
• Roslyn Bell – LadyBell’s Cakery & Catering
• Recey Blake – Pure Imagination Candy Shoppe
• Sara Cannon – Spruce Planner
• Melanie Colvin – townsend/colvin
• Kathryn Corey – Consultant
• Frank Franklin – Waste to Worth
• Shayla Hatcher – The Shayla Nicole Collection
• Karen Nathan – Moton Cosmetology Academy
• Max Rykov – Max Rykov Productions
• Jill Tolbert – BYNGAM Property Services

Cohort 6: Fall 2015

• Kristie Curtis – Love Kristie Loves
• Raven Dewitt – Rara Avis
• Juwan Dickerson – Avenue E Brewing Company
• Kira Fonteneau – Vulcan Donut Forge
• Tonya Griffin – Sweets in the City
• Sharon Hill – Holistic Hair Care
• Soapy Jones – Left Hand Soap Co.
• Terri Jones – Private Investigation
• Hank Layman – Oasis Gardens Ensley
• Andrew Wheeler-Berliner – The Farmer’s Table

Cohort 5: Summer 2015

• Stanley Brewer – Soiree Cafe
• Joseph Brown & Lauron Pijeaux – Laced Up Boutique LLC
• Rebecca Davis – Mrs. Clean Green
• Nancey Legg – Better Kombucha
• Elbony Riggins – Women Empowering Each Other (WEEO)
• Jacob Snuggs – Taproot Landscaping
• Adrienne Starks – STREAM Innovations
• Cameron Strouss – Deep Roots Apotheké & Clinic
• Caroline Taylor – Caroline Taylor Agency
• Cathrine Taylor – Cathrine Taylor Photography
• Angel Vuong – Cyclo Eatery

Cohort 4: Spring 2015

• Ter’A Duboise – Stitches
• Blake Ellis – Signal Woodworks
• Brian Hawkins – Coffee Shots
• Josh Haynes – Alloy Thai
• Danielle Hines – Party Boutique Kids
• Mac Russell – Shindigs Catering
• Lemar Storey – Life Touch Massage
• John Paul Taylor – Real Life Poets
• Brittney Towey – Cup to Go Coffee & Espresso

Cohort 3: Winter B 2015

• Dick Berliner – Honey from Breezy Knoll
• Amanda Braddock – Son of a Biscuit
• Maacah Davis – Belladonna Magazine
• Daniel Drinkard – Seasick Records
• Robert Ferrara – Revival Distillery
• Heather Holmes – MESH Collective Art
• Brian Mooney – Tre Luna Catering
• Jessica Peterson – The Southern Letter Press
• Theresa Rumore – Pixie Ice Cream Company
• Tanesha Sims & Tiffany Turner – Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn

Cohort 2: Winter A 2015

• Anne Adams – FEAST
• Zebbie Carney – Eugene’s Hot Chicken
• Krysta Parsons – Right Hand Chocolate Co.
• Jeralyn Powell – JP Marketing LLC
• Ama Shambulia – WE Community Cafe
• April Sibley – Magic City Baking Company
• Stephen Smith – Stephen Smith Fine Art
• Eric Tasker – Small Box Co.
• Antonia Viteri – Love Me Madly
• Bruce Willey – Everybody Makes
• Donna Francavilla – Frankly Speaking Communications LLC

Cohort 1: Fall 2014

• Kelli Caulfield – Bon Temps & Nola Ice
• Deidre Clark – Kuumba Community Arts
• Taylor DeBoer – Ghost Train Brewing
• Kristen Farmer Hall – The Nest Birmingham /  Feast & Forest
• Bruce Lanier – MAKEbhm
• Christine McLean – The Red Pin Cushion
• Lillis Taylor – Bib & Tucker Sew-Op